Huckabee goin’ to the Caymans for a paid speech this weekend
posted at 12:54 pm on February 14, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Yeah, so? This came up in December in the heat of Huckamania, when the issue was whether he was charging churches. (The gig this weekend is for a youth group.) Giuliani made millions speaking before his campaign; Billy Jeff’s made millions speaking since his term ended, which helps explain how Her Majesty was able to make that $5 million loan to her campaign. Here’s the best RCP can do:
Huckabee’s odd choice does give the sense that staying in the race is merely a way of staying politically (and thus professionally) relevant. If Huckabee is going to stay in this thing, he’ll have to walk a fine between becoming a Kucinich-esque joke and a principled candidate. The former is merely an act of ego-stroking, while the latter confers a sense of duty. Taking money for speaking gigs doesn’t help persuade us it’s the latter.
His supporters are McCain-haters and evangelical true believers. Neither one needs any further persuading, just as neither one’s under any illusions about his chances. If he was the frontrunner and was taking days off to make bank, it would look greedy. As it is, all he’s doing is preparing for unemployment. The Kucinich comparison doesn’t work either since Kooky has no hope of bigger things in the future and Huckabee does. How is a paid speech some sort of departure from form when the sole reason for his candidacy at this point is as a vehicle for raising his profile?
Exit question: Who’s spot on the national stage will be bigger next year, Huckabee’s — or McCain’s?
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Unlike most Democrats, he’s actually doing some work to earn his money (as opposed to expecting the gubmint to give him a handout). You take the work where you can get it. Lucky bastard!
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 14, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Speaking as a proud capitalist pig, I see no issue with this.
amerpundit on February 14, 2008 at 1:00 PM
He’s just doing what ANY Christian candidate would do, right?
Always Right on February 14, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Same here. If people want to pay to see him talk, then he might as well take advantage of the opportunity presented by his candidacy. It’s not as though he’s spending taxpayer money on his campaign.
Slublog on February 14, 2008 at 1:04 PM
The speaking gig is no big deal- but the Huckabots (and Huckster himself) are seriously approaching Paultard territory in their zeal for a candidate who Can. Not. Win.
His campaign is nothing more than promoting the Mike Huckabee brand, not about winning the nomination. He’s publically floated the notion that a brokered convention would give him a chance, but that’s a pipe dream sold to his supporters to keep them on board.
On the other hand, the longer the guy maintains a hopeless campaign, the more a buffoon he comes off as. Hopefully it’ll be enough to bury any future presidential ambitions.
Hollowpoint on February 14, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Agreed.
RushBaby on February 14, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Second “oink” to that emotion.
P.S. Got bacon?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 14, 2008 at 1:12 PM
Getting paid is a blow to the worker’s paradise that is being established in the Socialist States of America. How dare he not allow the State to take care of him.
Damn him. Damn him for getting paid.
OhEssYouCowboys on February 14, 2008 at 1:12 PM
Seriously, what’s the beef here? The guy has to work, and he’s not making any money while he campaigns. Are we saying candidates shouldn’t make money while officially on campaign?
fourstringfuror on February 14, 2008 at 1:16 PM
This is why Huckabee is still in the race.
The longer he stays in, the more times his name is spoken on the radio and his Gomeresque face appears on the TV, his speaking fees go up.
EJDolbow on February 14, 2008 at 1:16 PM
A Bill Clinton bullseye.
OhEssYouCowboys on February 14, 2008 at 1:22 PM
I’d have to say by this time next year, McCain will quietly disappear, just like Kerry disappeared after his loss. Hopefully McCain won’t become the laughing stock that Kerry became. He deserves some dignity in his twilight years. Huckabee will stay in the public eye.
tommuck on February 14, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Speech subject: Cooking squirrel 101.
Judge whether its a biography or a cooking lesson.
jake-the-goose on February 14, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Making fun of his face now? That’s classy.
fourstringfuror on February 14, 2008 at 1:24 PM
What Huckabee’s activities are telling me is that he’s going to try to do what Bryan suggested the other day for Romney. Huck’s going to try to stay in the public eye for the next few years, building a loyal following and trying to position himself as the Voice of (Evangelical) Conservatism for 2012. In other words, Huck’s already campaigning for 2012 and is using the 2008 primaries to do it. Smart, perhaps, but if we conservatives aren’t careful, we’re going to end up with the exact same crop of losers again in 2012 (assuming McCain loses in 2008–if he wins, we get his VP by default).
Let’s draft somebody better, as soon as possible! I’m not in the mood to let “fate” and/or the Establishment drop another batch of unacceptable dregs on us next time around. If you have a good possibility in your state’s governor or senator or whatever, start a draft movement for 2012. I’m totally serious.
aero on February 14, 2008 at 1:29 PM
His face is funny, I was not making fun of it.
I make fun of his pea brain.
EJDolbow on February 14, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Where’s RedPill to push his absurd Huckabee/Thompson prediction?
HebrewToYou on February 14, 2008 at 1:35 PM
Very well, aero:
Dino Rossi ‘12!
fourstringfuror on February 14, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Again, my standard disclaimer of I do not like Huckabee as a Presidential candidate, however also again, he scores with a great response about how all the rest of the candidates are geting a Senate paycheck but he has to work for a living.
Sure, it’s populist drivel, but he spoons it so masterfully.
JayHaw Phrenzie on February 14, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Nostradamus is not worried about you stealing market share in the predictions business.
JayHaw Phrenzie on February 14, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Call me kooky, but I just don’t see Huckabee vaulting to any kind of national prominence, regardless of what happens to McCain. He’s not Bill Clinton. In 2012, he’s going to be the same evolution-doubting, soft on crime and illegal immigration pandering, Oachita Baptist College graduate he is today, but without the benefit of freshness.
I would say he’d be perfect for one of those stunt conservative spots on MSNBC, but who knows if it will be around next year.
Infidoll on February 14, 2008 at 1:46 PM
I predict that this loss will affect Huckabee profoundly and he will start eating uncontrollably, gaining all that weight back and start touring the world to educate us all to the scourge of global cooling.
ihasurnominashun on February 14, 2008 at 1:54 PM
You say “evolution-doubting” as if that was a liability.
Our numbers are growing (in the scientific community & in the general public) along with the amount of evidence for Intelligent Design.
jgapinoy on February 14, 2008 at 2:34 PM
…despite the persecution of ID believers within academia.
jgapinoy on February 14, 2008 at 2:37 PM
oops
jgapinoy on February 14, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Don’t forget the part where he grows a beard.
JayHaw Phrenzie on February 14, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Doesn’t the first rule of Gore state: “Thou shalt have no other ManBearPigs before me”?
Simonsez on February 14, 2008 at 3:55 PM